Heavy formwork elements moved by air transport

Tunneling

Heavy formwork elements moved by air transport

Fachingen , 16.02.2026 / Tunneling

As part of the tunnel construction work on the Fachinger Tunnel, an extraordinary logistical operation took place in October: 14 formwork elements, each weighing up to 1,000 kilograms, were flown out using a cargo helicopter. After only four hours, all elements had arrived at their destination on schedule and without incident.

Helicopter assists tunnel construction work on steep terrain and transports material along a construction site above a river. — © PORR
Fourteen formwork elements, each weighing up to 1,000 kilograms, were flown out using a cargo helicopter.

Safe transport by air

After the concrete had been poured for blocks 1–3 at the east portal, 14 formwork elements from the counter formwork were moved to the west portal of the Fachinger Tunnel for the following work. A cargo helicopter picked up the components, which were up to ten metres long, directly at the tunnel portal and transported them individually to a temporary storage facility on Kreisstraße 31. The Deutsche Bahn railway tracks were not flown over. A guard secured the traffic for the short crossing of the road. The formwork elements were then transported by truck to the construction site in Fachingen.

The Fachingen Tunnel is part of an extensive renovation project by Deutsche Bahn on the Lahntalbahn railway line. Together with the Cramberg Tunnel, it is being renovated by a consortium consisting of PORR, FELDHAUS Bergbau and Heinz Schnorpfeil Bau. The structures, which are over 160 years old, are being adapted to today's requirements while rail services continue to operate, using the so-called tunnel-in-tunnel method.